Important - Please Read

Dear members,

As most of you will know, over the last few months, Humanwindmill has been taking a break from these boards.

It is with great sadness that I am now having to write this message to let you know why.

since we set up this board in Jan 2011, Simon and I have become very close. During this time he let myself and a few others know that he had been very ill. Due to his own request for privacy on the matter, we respected his wishes and did not inform the board of the situation. To all intent and purposes, we carried on as usual knwoing that at any time, the worst could happen.

Since the turn of the year, Simons condition has got worse, culminating in him taking the recent hiatus from the board, to allow him to spend time with his family. During this time, Rowley and myself have been in contact with him regularly to monitor the situation and more importantly to see how he wanted any information released.

He is still adamant that he doesnt want a fuss made but Rowley and I have convinced him to let us tell you the members, the gravity of the situation. We are fully aware that most of you have come to consider Simon a friend or at the very least respect his immense knowledge and even handedness in moderating. He has reluctantly agreed - and do not take that as a slight on any of you - the reluctance is due to him wanting minimum fuss made and for the announcement to not overcloud the section.

This announcement is here to keep you informed of his absence and to give you a chance to leave him any messages. He has stated his intention to return to the board next week, condition permitting.

He has also asked that this message is not left on the boxing section for any length of time, as he doesnt want to be the focus of the discussion. And I think that this request sums up sImon the best - he is always thinking of whats best for others and never himself, something that he has shown time and time again over the last 18 months.

On that note, this message will be removed from the boxing section and placed in the general announcement section on Monday.

Final word from me on the matter - I would like to say thank you to Simon for everything that he has done for the board and for me personally. On a v2 point of view, he has driven the section to become what it is today and what has been commended in the forum thread - a place firstly for boxing discussion without the nonsense that comes with other forums. If man was shaped in the form of God, the 606v2 Boxing section was formed in the shape of Simon.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Simon for being who he is. Its not very often that you can make friends with people you havent physically met, but I would consider simon to be one of those. In the face of adversity, he has always remained true to his morals and personality. And for that, I cannot thank him enough.

To the Human Windmill - These may be the final rounds of this fight but this one is going down in history.


Please note that as this is a personal matter, we wont be answering any questions about anything that would be of a private nature, so please dont ask. Windy will hopefully be on the board next week and may or may not give further info. He may decide to talk about boxing only - let's all respect his wishes.

As far as I am concerned, he is the best thing to happen on v2. Wish him all the very best and ask him to come back as I miss winding him up.

To Windy

Ever since first reading these forums, HumanWindmill has always been the contibutor everyone else looks up to. Not just his immense knowledge on the sport, but also his ability to put out wum fires with his left hand smite trolls with his right.

It might sound odd coming from a stranger, but best wishes to Human Windmill. The 606 GOAT.

John Bloody Wayne wrote:
It might sound odd coming from a stranger, but best wishes to Human Windmill. The 606 GOAT.

+ 1

Best wishes to a 606 legend.

Windy is a true gent and reading that post made my heart sink. As strange as it sounds, you really do get the sense of community on this board, which is why I always come back... Windy was one of those who kept that community alive.

I wish him all the best.

Hear, hear, re all of the above comments.

Don't think there's ever been a poster and/or mod as universally loved or respected as Mr Windmill.

Cheers

All the best Windy! You are a 606 Legend.

Best wishes Windy, you're made of stern stuff I can't imagine you being down for long.

So much respect for Windy, his level knowledge and contribution is easily among the highest if not the highest of the members that frequent the place.

Here's to a speedy recovery mate

Gutted. Best of Wishes Windy. Echo all sentiments already expressed and ones yet to be expressed

Very sobering to read this, and saddening even more so.

Be it on the old BBC 606 or this new, improved site, I think Windy has been without doubt the most admired and respected poster when it comes to boxing; first off, for his encyclopedia-like knowledge of the sport, but also for his amiable disposition, his sharp wit and his role in both moderating and helping the site to grow.

Adam's points about being able to respect and feel a genuine fondness towards a human being you've never met or even seen a picture of are really ringing true right now. And Adam is equally bang on the money when he points out that wanting as little fuss as possible is typical Windy - in spite of all the acclaim he's received from us all, I don't think he's ever written a post which could be portrayed or interpreted as anything other than fair, thought-out and, most of the time, simply right from all angles.

Anyway, if you get to read this Windy, I'd just like to express my gratitude for everything I've learned from you about this beautiful sport, every exchange we've ever had, every idea you've put forward (all of which have been key to the development of 606v2) and a host of other things. And more importatly, of course, I'd like to wish you the very best and say that I will sincerely be hoping that you can return to 606v2 in the future. It's been an absolute pleasure, mate.

Would also like to echo all of the above. Been reading these boards for a long time and always been astonished by Windy's knowledge.

Can only echo the sentiment of the others. True gent, genuine guy and I am saddened to my core to hear of any personal suffering he is enduring. My thoughts are with you Windy. Class act.

88Chris05 wrote:Very sobering to read this, and saddening even more so.

Be it on the old BBC 606 or this new, improved site, I think Windy has been without doubt the most admired and respected poster when it comes to boxing; first off, for his encyclopedia-like knowledge of the sport, but also for his amiable disposition, his sharp wit and his role in both moderating and helping the site to grow.

Adam's points about being able to respect and feel a genuine fondness towards a human being you've never met or even seen a picture of are really ringing true right now. And Adam is equally bang on the money when he points out that wanting as little fuss as possible is typical Windy - in spite of all the acclaim he's received from us all, I don't think he's ever written a post which could be portrayed or interpreted as anything other than fair, thought-out and, most of the time, simply right from all angles.

Anyway, if you get to read this Windy, I'd just like to express my gratitude for everything I've learned from you about this beautiful sport, every exchange we've ever had, every idea you've put forward (all of which have been key to the development of 606v2) and a host of other things. And more importatly, of course, I'd like to wish you the very best and say that I will sincerely be hoping that you can return to 606v2 in the future. It's been an absolute pleasure, mate.

precisely how I feel Chris.

Wishing him all the best!

A great guy, unfailingly polite, humble and knowledgeable

All the best

Were it not for the fact I am a Yorkshireman and we only cry at the end of Kes when their Judd kills his bird there would be a danger of me filling up with both the news and the responses, the news manages to upset me, what was truly remarkable for me was when he initially told me his primary concern was how the additional workload the other mods would have to endure in his absence would impact on the forum which tells you everything you need to know about the man.

xxx

rowley wrote:Were it not for the fact I am a Yorkshireman and we only cry at the end of Kes when their Judd kills his bird there would be a danger of me filling up with both the news and the responses, the news manages to upset me, what was truly remarkable for me was when he initially told me his primary concern was how the additional workload the other mods would have to endure in his absence would impact on the forum which tells you everything you need to know about the man.

Jeez, I am welling up. You just knew that when the likes of Windy comes on the board the level of discussion perks up immediatley. He was liek one of those rare school teachers no one wants to dissapoint. Take last week (or week before) for instance, when I was being a misery, on pops Windy and everybody is chummy again. I actually told Steffan I loved him, and in that moment - it was true. Haha.

Very sad to hear. He has helped me on here with a few issues which I am very grateful about. And as others have alluded to, his vast knowledge of boxing and fair modding has probably prevented a few users jumping ship!

Get well soon

SoF

I can't add to what the above have said, sad news and wishing Windmill all the very best.

Windy = 1st time 606 HoF

An absolute gent who was truly missed by all when he disappeared from the original 606 website and his recent absence from these boards has been keenly felt. It goes without saying that his knowledge is second to none but he's also a genuinely nice chap with a great sesse of humour.

Hopefully his condition allows him to return to the board soon.

I can't honestly say that I'm on here enough to notice many people but, and I mean this 100%, I did notice Windmill and I did read his posts with interest knowing that it'd always be worth my while.

From what I've read on here we all owe him a fair bit of thanks. This is a great board, I wouldn't know half the stuff I do now nor watch the amount I do, nor even enjoy it as much if it wasn't for this place.

Wishing you all the best mate.

All the best to Windmill. Quality poster.

Not much else I can add, agree with the sentiments 100%.

All the best Windy, class act.

From I started reading the old 606 board it has been clear to me the immense depth of knowledge that Windy has on the subject of boxing. However the longer I've been reading and been posting it has became clear that he is 1st and foremost an absolute gentleman and its not too often that something like that can be conveyed over an internet forum. Really felt a sense of regret reading the OP and then the responses.

Good luck Windy and hope to see you recover and back on the board.

Horrible news, take care mate, hope all goes well.

Galveston.

A tremendous knowledge of boxing and alway's able to back his own views up constructively, one of the true gentlemen of this boxing forum.

More importantly heartfelt best wishes to you Windy,we're all rooting for you.

I'm not a regular poster on the Boxing boards but if there is one sport I have learned so much about in such a short space of time it's Boxing and obviously Windy has been a huge contributor to that education.

The above posts just show how admired and respected Windy is and the warmth on show in this thread is a testament to all of you guys. Pure class.

All the best Windy.

i signed up on the old 606 about 6/7 years ago, mainly on the boxing boards. it didnt take me long to notice windy infact he's the first person i can remember from way back in those days. fantastic knowledge of the heavies (a personal favourite of mine aswell) in which i always took time to read his posts, more often than not just seek out his over alot of rubbish that used to be on there. im sure im not the only person that has benefitted and learnt so much from reading windys comments, if it werent for those posts around the time i still wouldnt be that clued up on the early years of heavyweight boxing and still pale against someone like windy. it took me nearly a year of just reading the boards to finally feel like i could join in!! but had great time simply reading the articles

hope everything works out mate and get well, big thanks from me and im sure all the 606/v2 boards will all wish the same. the place wouldnt be the same without you

I am a long-time 'voyeur' of both the old 606 and v2. I have never posted before mainly as my knowledge is dwarfed by most on here. I have learned a tremendous amount from reading from several posters.
Wish you all the best Windy, you have been missed over the last few months, so hope to see you back soon. Huge thanks from me for the knowledge and entertainment you have provided a complete stranger for many years!!

This was very sad to hear. I would like to wish him all the best.

Don't know him as well as some of you, but I've seen a few posts from him on here... very very knowledgeable and I appreciated his posts.

I wish him all the best!

My heart sank reading this. Windys easily the best poster i've come into contact with on any forum and a genuinely nice guy too. All the best Windy.

Although I come on here to read every day, I haven't posted in a while and feel this thread deserves a comment from everyone who knows or knows of windy as coming from the old 606 to the much better new forum he has always been the top poster for me, knowledgable and has the banter and people skills to match, Windy, hopefully you are reading all these comments, you are a true gent and hope to see you on here again soon, you have been missed, hope you get better soon

no-mas wrote:Although I come on here to read every day, I haven't posted in a while and feel this thread deserves a comment from everyone who knows or knows of windy as coming from the old 606 to the much better new forum he has always been the top poster for me, knowledgable and has the banter and people skills to match, Windy, hopefully you are reading all these comments, you are a true gent and hope to see you on here again soon, you have been missed, hope you get better soon

Getting posting no-mas. With the likes of Windy not so much in the mix, we will need people like you even more

no-mas wrote:Although I come on here to read every day, I haven't posted in a while and feel this thread deserves a comment from everyone who knows or knows of windy as coming from the old 606 to the much better new forum he has always been the top poster for me, knowledgable and has the banter and people skills to match, Windy, hopefully you are reading all these comments, you are a true gent and hope to see you on here again soon, you have been missed, hope you get better soon

+1

Awk no way. I was thinking about some of the other members who aint been on in quite a while, Coxy, IJK, Windy etc Hope Windy gets back to his old self soon and hope the others are also safe and well

It's fair to say that without Windy, I'd probably never have gotten the Peter Jackson bug. I also lost my step-father recently so the sad news of Windy's is hitting that little bit harder. As everyone else has alluded to, Windy is an absolute gent and I wish him all the best.

Very sad to hear he is unwell. Whether it be giving me a telling off when iv been silly on here, helping me with a few issues or a bit of West Ham v Cardiff banter Windy has always remained a gentleman and one of lifes good guys so I pass on my regards and best wishes

The Internet often seems unreal or more accurately seems separate to reality. News like this bring into sharp focus the fact that we are real people typing into a forum however anonymously we chose to do it.

With this news Windy has become a very real person and I wish him all the very best with his current challenges. I have no doubt he will maintain his determined quiet dignity and will approach his illness with a considered level head doing all the right things giving himself the greatest opportunity for recovery. I wish him the best of luck.

Glad I seen this, but sorry to read the content. Hopefully everything works out, easily the most respected poster of v2 and the beeb 606. An inspiring educator in thsweet science.

Best wishes windy!

The guy is a rarity- as is often said these days, "a legend" but he really is here!
I just can't get enough of the Windmill, glad to hear he'll be back.

Although I infrequently post on here I read the Boxing boards most days and was a member on the old BBC 606.
Windy has always impressed me with his knowledge and more recently on 606v2 with the quality of his moderation as well.
I remember that Windy disappeared from the BBC 606 boards for a number of months at one stage and was hugely missed hugely by the guys until he made a no fuss return.

Windy
Many thanks for all your efforts and contributions and hope you are back with us next week.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Skimpton

Very sorry to hear about you loss Dave!

Windy keep fighting champ ! Never met you sir, but you share my enthusiasm as a lot other fine members do on this beloved sport, I'm sure if you were to walk in a room I'd instantly listen and learn about the game, I wish you all the best.

Take care mate, and look forward to read your posts next week.

Thanks for that Adam, I had missed Old Windy. My thoughts are with you windy and hope to see you back on here soon. Mike in New Zealand

All the very best mate, your love and knowledge of old time fighters is unparalled on this board, and I allways enjoyed reading your posts ,clear that you have a huge depth of knowlegde. Box on Windy.